We are one global family!

Every continent, country, state, district, household has been affected by the ongoing global pandemic. People across the globe are trying their best to survive through these dire times. The death toll has surpassed all the limits and each day a record number of cases are registered. The virus is sure to be known to mostly affect the sick and the elderly on the physical level, but at the same time it affects the young generation on a mental and emotional level too.

It has been months since the Indian Government had announced the nation-wide lockdown and the entire country was at a fix. Students residing it hostels, staying as paying-guests had to leave immediately for their homes with limited means not having known the severity of the virus. Since then the future of the examinations have doomed upon all the students across the nation, especially for the students in the final years.

The online classes are surely being conducted by several colleges and universities but keep in mind the term “several” does not mean “all”. There are certain students who are bereft of the online medium of education. Statistically, 21.9% of the Indian population lives below the national poverty line and not all students have the means to access the online mode of education. It would be extremely unfair and difficult for them to appear for the examinations without proper knowledge when the other “privileged” students are being imparted education through these online platforms.

The students across the globe are worried about their future. The day-long classes, the burden of finishing the University and school syllabus along with the pressure of appearing for the competitive examinations is absolutely preposterous. The problems with internet connectivity is something we cannot overlook as well.

Above all, there are several youngsters who are battling with depression, anxiety, family issues, uncertainty of the future, physical ailments, fear of the virus. A huge chunk of the population is living in the Red zones with the fatal fear of contracting the virus. To add to the burden by conducting online classes, assignments and examinations is absurd. Please chuck the baggage. Focus on overall and holistic development of the students via these online platforms and not the stringent syllabus-oriented methods of knowledge.

The recent notice by the UGC states that examinations would be held in the month of July for the students in their terminal year and the students of intermediate semesters. Exams are planned to be held in the states where the situation has normalised. Students from different states are admitted in the universities across the country. If the condition in one state has normalised, the state government cannot conduct the exams as there are students in other states badly affected by Covid-19. The concept of online examinations as well fall hollow where a huge chunk of the population is below the poverty line without proper internet gadgets and means.

Where several foreign universities and schools have closed for the year, we, the students from across the entire country, HUMBLY REQUEST the government to kindly consider the several issues in hand and delay the examinations. The government can (a mere suggestion) convert a 3-year Graduation course into a 3.5 year course and similarly for a 5-year course. The school examinations can be delayed. The competitive examinations can be further postponed. It is a “global pandemic” where several lakhs of people have succumbed to the virus. Please don’t let the students succumb to the educational baggage. The mental sanity is more important than the completion of the syllabus.

The students look forward to a more constructive notice by the government which does not merely focus on the “examinations” but the overall development of a student. A mere qualification will not ensure a certain future for a student.

Please think of imparting knowledge, not just education!